Fred's Week 5 Update From Scout Camp

Very good idea. I know that MorganFred will spread the numismatic word with these sets.

As an update, the Camp Director and Program Director both enthusiastically responded to the proposal. My suggesting to tie the awards to weekly achievement was met with overwhelming approval. Each Scoutmaster of each Troop will submit to the awards committee his/her nomination of the Scout who has achieved the most (in any field, not just advancement) during the week he has been in Camp. The committee will meet on Friday afternoons and select the deserving Scout from the nominations. (I decided upon a three-member committee consisting of myself and the Camp and Program Directors since I felt uncomfortable doing it the selection myself.) The award will be presented at the Friday evening closing campfire.

I've already drafted a suitable-for-framing certificate and, fortuitously, as a small tourch, I happen to have some high-rag parchment paper on hand for the certificates.

The camp season begins 3 July, so the first award will be presented 8 July.

This is the latest update from Fred. Week one competition went very well! Please read on....Thanks again Fred!!!!!

First Week competition went very well! We had six nominees for the award (of nine Troops in Camp). With a great deal of difficulty, the committee selected Kevin Groover of Tr 45, Walton (Delaware Co.), NY. The Scoutmasters (or other adult leaders in camp) took their responsibilities seriously and wrote detailed nominations on behalf of their Scouts, submitting applications at the writing level of scholarship applications. Two of us narrowed the field down to three, then two others reviewed the applications until a consensus was reached.

One factor we attempted to avoid: judging the Scouts on the basis of the leaders' ability to write. Some of these leaders are quite erudite and we had to separate the flourishes from the facts. Due to the disparities of the narrative applications submitted, I'm gonna draft a form to level the playing field

The award winner, Kevin went above and beyond merely living up to the standards of the Scout Oath and Law with his cheerful willingness to help younger Scouts on his own time and his forethought during pre-Camp preparation for the Troop's participation in the Camp's theme this year, "Mountain Men". Within the broad definition of "achievement" we adopted, Kevin exceeded the award requirements. In fact, as a result of his outstanding achievement, he has been offered a job on the Camp Staff for later in the summer.

Some miscellaneous points and notes, not in any particular order: (1) Reference to the activity as a competition rather than a contest seems to have brought out the best in the Scouts and their leaders with their attitudes toward the competition at lofty and respectable levels rather than as just another contest for the "biggest". (2) The Camp administrators are tickled pink with this whole notion and have been bending over backwards to encourage participation; in the past, they've shown very conservative trends and are reluctant to attempt new activities. The fact that our competition is readily accepted bodes well for future ventures of a similar nature. I've advised them that this is a trial situation and that we are receptive to constructive criticism. (3) Given that the Camp's program is already over-programmed, meaning there is a lot for the Scouts and their leaders to do and their minds may be cluttered with all the other activities, we found that two reminder announcements at meals in the dining hall, one early in the week and the second at breakfast on Friday reinforces the posters and fliers already posted to keep the competition in their minds. (4) I'm trying to scrounge the time to write a news release for the local papers (two: one daily, one weekly; if I can get this first one done, I can use it for a template for the next four winners. Fred

I think this is an outstanding example of what WE as a group can accomplish with very little effort. The key word is EFFORT and as we have seen opportunities will eventually come to all of us in our own home area and we should take full advantage of them. I am still sitting on two rolls of Buffalo nickels that I promised Old Dan would go to children, hopefully this fall, and I have made contact with a local elementary teacher hoping to put a program together and use the nickels as awards for each and every child who participates. Not sure yet just how, what or why, we are going to proceed but the plan is in the works! May also use the coins during our fall festival and again it would involve small children. Will keep everyone informed on our final decision!

Another great update from Fred, Thanks Fred!!!


Third Week report: The deserving Scout for this week is Kevin W. Root, 14, a Life Scout (almost Eagle) from Troop 264, Altamount, NY, an out-of-Council Troop. (Henderson Scout Reservation attracts many such Troops from other Councils due to the quality of its program. Many of us such as myself (this is my 17th year since 1960, my first year) have been here on Staff since the late 1950s and while we are now aging, we still think young thanks to the kids; many other Camps are unable to maintain experienced adult staff beyond college age). Kevin is the first Scout to earn the Award who I had in one of my classes (Electronics Merit Badge) although that is not a factor in the decision-making. Kevin, despite his youth demonstrated a willingness to cope with adversity while at Camp and to willingly and voluntarily assist younger Scouts at the sacrifice of his own time when he could have been working on his own personal advancement. He is only a junior leader (Patrol Leader) rather than a Senior Patrol Leader, but assumed responsibilities beyond his Troop leadership position.

A trend is beginning to emerge. The greatest achievers seem to be the slightly older Scouts who are at or approaching Eagle Scout. This is no coincidence: almost by definition, Eagle Scouts and Eagle candidates are over-achievers. Virtually all male astronaut and fully 50% or more (has been as high as 90%) of West Point cadets are Eagle Scouts.

I am very pleased that the COINAF/CCF Achievement Award program is going so well!

Fred

Hello Folks,

FIFTH (AND LAST) WEEK REPORT:

Despite low attendance this past week, we had four nominations (of six Troops) for the COINAF Achievement Award. Jarrett Larson, 17 and a Life Scout of Troop 2 Middleburgh, NY earned his certificate and the six US dollar coins. He is the Troop's Senior Patrol Leader and seemed to lead the Troop as much as, or maybe even more than his adult leaders (which is the way it's supposed to be, but often isn't). He led the Troop in hiking and camping while at Camp, encouraged and worked with first year Scouts in Camp activities, and, at the same time, earned two merit badges himself. The frosting on the cake was applied when he volunteered to be on the Camp Staff next week.

Webelos Week follows the regular camp season with two three-day sessions for the older Cub Scouts (Webelos I, boys entering fourth grade; Webelos II, boys entering 5th grade). In no small sense, Jarrett is greatly helping the staff since we are traditionally short-handed that week.

In summary, the COINAF Achievement Award program here at Henderson exceeded our greatest expectations. As time and opportunity permit, I will submit follow-up reports and ideas.

Thanks, Fred